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School of Human Ecology

About the School of Human Ecology

The School of Human Ecology has a rich history at Tennessee Tech. Over the years we have evolved from a School of Home Economics to the name of “Human Ecology”.

HEC Student Working on Homework

The School of Human Ecology (founded in 1916 as the Domestic Science Department) has 1,800-plus alumni. We seek to promote a strong academic environment so that our graduates are prepared for careers in one or more of the diverse fields of human ecology.

Mission and Vision of the School of Human Ecology

› Mission

The School of Human Ecology provides education, research, service, resources and leadership in order to foster creativity, tenacity and analytical problem solving in our students as well as facilitating career ready graduates to empower individuals, families and communities to achieve optimal quality of life. 

› Vision

The School of Human Ecology will be recognized as a premier program in Human Ecology and as an agent for advancing quality of life and fostering leadership in individuals, families and communities. 

School of Human Ecology Strategic Plan

The Profession of Human Ecology

Human Ecology is the study of the relationship between individuals, families and communities and the environments in which they live. The field represents many content areas including: child development and family relations; child life; food, nutrition and dietetics; family and consumer sciences education; housing and design; and merchandising and design. Students learn, through theory and practice, how to provide a better quality of life for individuals throughout the life span. Students majoring in Human Ecology at Tennessee Tech receive practical experience in professional settings such as practicum, field experiences, and/or internships.

 

Facts about the School of Human Ecology

Licensing and Credentialing

  • Didactic Program In Dietetics (DPD)

    Application Rate: Within the most recent three-year time frame 2021 - May 2023; 26 students graduated with a Verification statement and 19 applied to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation for an application rate of 73%. The Tennessee Tech DPD Benchmark for this measure is 60% of graduates will apply to a supervised practice program.

    Admission Rates: Within the most recent time period, May 2021 - May 2023, 19 students applied to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation and 19 students were accepted for a graduate acceptance rate of 100%. The Tennessee Tech DPD Benchmark for this measure is 50% of graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

    The 2023 national average for acceptance into a dietetic supervised practice program is 85%. 

    Registered Dietitian Exam Results*

    Testing Year #Taking Exam # Passed %Passed National Avg
    2022 4 2 50% 88.8%
    2021 12 9 75% 89.6%
    2020 6 6 100% 89%
    2019 11 9 82% 91%
    Totals 33 26 77% avg  

    *Exam testers within one year of first attempt; Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required Benchmark for this measure is one year pass rate must be at least 80%.

  • Family and Consumer Science Education

     Family and Consumer Sciences Licensure Results

    Year  # of Licensed Teacher
    2019 0
    2020 2
    2021 0
    2022 2
    2023 2
  • Human Ecology Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate of First Time Freshman, 6-year Rate

      Fall 2013 Cohort Fall 2014 Cohort Fall 2015 Cohort Fall 2016 Cohort
    # Enrolled in HEC 26 31 25 23
    # Grad from TN Tech 13 22 18 12
    HEC Grad Rate 50% 71% 72% 52.2%
    TN Tech 6 Yr Rate 52% 52% 52% 60.2%
  • Human Ecology Enrollment

     Undergraduate Enrollment

    Total 242 240 216 216 192 213
    Concentration F2017 F2018 F2019 F2020 F2021 F2022
    Human Development
    & Family Science
    92 84 73 57 39 44
    Child Life 33 32 30 33 44 44
    Nut/Dietetics 46 44 35 46 38 38
    Architecture
    & Interior Design
    24 39 36 42 36 54
    Fashion Merchandising
    & Design
    32 33 29 29 30 29
    FACS Educ. 9 4 9 8 5 4

    Graduate Enrollment

    Total 13 21        
    Concentration F2021 F2022 F2023 F2024 F2025 F2026
    MS Community Health & Nutrition 13 8        
  • Human Ecology Retention Rates

     Retention Rates for First Time Freshmen

      Cohort 2017 Cohort 2018 Cohort 2019 Cohort 2020 Cohort 2021
    # Enrolled HEC 20 29 28 27 33
    # Cont to 2nd Fall 18 25 23 23 33
    HEC Retention Rate 90% 86% 82.1% 85.2% 81.8%
    TN Tech Retention Rate 76% 77% 77.5% 72.9% 78.5%

 

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College of Agriculture and Human Ecology